Missions

MPC has decided that 12% of our congregational giving should be given to MISSIONS. The Missions Committee has been given the responsibility, with the approval of the Session, of discovering Christian ministries that we at MPC are unable to create locally, that not only help those in need, but convey the message of Christ. Our giving extends from Fort Bragg to the far corners of the world. At this time we are supporting over a dozen ministries.

“Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.” Isa 58:12.

CrossWorld – David Jones, who grew up as a member of Mendocino Presbyterian Church, founded this ministry to the children of the Ukraine after going on a short-term college youth mission trip. He was so moved by the struggles orphans face of rejection, abandonment, and abuse that he went back to the Ukraine and established a permanent ministry of mentoring these children in Christian love. He and his Ukrainian wife, Annya (and new baby, Emily) now operate both a girls’ and a boys’ house. Visiting these houses, orphans, as well as neighborhood children can learn of Jesus’ love through clubs, Bible Studies, and daily living experiences to prepare them for an independent life, a steady job, and a brighter future.

Seeds of Learning – SOL is a humanitarian organization that is dedicated to improving the educational opportunities of children in Latin America. Since its inception in 1991 our church has helped finance this work, primarily because one of our own “home-grown” young people has been involved since its founding. Patrick Rickon, eldest son of Wendell and Sammy, has spent many years helping build and improve schools and businesses in Nicaragua. He married a Nicaraguan lady, and has 2 wonderful sons. (Ask Wendell & Sammy!) SOL also serves in El Salvador and Guatemala. www.seedsoflearning.org

Mississippi Katrina Relief Missions – Two times a year members of MPC and other congregations from the Mendocino coast travel to Waveland Mississippi to rebuild homes and lives of Hurricane Katrina victims. Waveland is the town where Katrina, one of most devastating storms in the history of the United States made landfall. Entire neighborhoods were washed away by a massive wave surge from the gulf, making thousands of families homeless. MPC works with Pathfinder Missions (www.pathfindermission.org) and the Mennonite Disaster Relief Organization.

“You shall be raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in.” Isa 58:12.

Mendocino Christian Camp – This ministry has been operating as a non-profit Christian retreat for over 25 years. It was started with the vision of serving youth and handicapped individuals.Many of our MPC family have over the years contributed experience, hard work and finances that have made this beautiful facility what it is today. At present Joe and Betsy Pescini operate the camp, living on the property.Our church has enjoyed having our Pentecost Sunday church service there for many years, and our men’s fellowship uses this beautiful facility as well.

The Lord’s Land (YWAM base) – There is increasing anticipation over what it will mean for those of us here on the coast to have a YWAM base among us. YWAM is a world-wide ministry dedicated to training and mobilization young men and women for ministry. They have been around for a long time, and have a proven track record. We whole-heartedly rejoice in their presence here and this opportunity to help a bit in their support. www.ywammendocino.org

PCUSA Missions – Through the encouragement of Larry Ballenger, we have felt a need to help our Presbyterian mission efforts. We have been encouraged to designate a portion of this amount to Jane Holslag, who serves our denomination as an English and Theology teacher at the Lithuanian Christian College in Klaipeda, Lithuania. Don McCullough knows her well, and there is a good chance we can have Jane with us the next time she is stateside on furlough. The rest of our PCUSA giving goes for basic mission work within our Presbytery.

Gerry Burney, Mendocino County Chaplain – Until Gerry came along Mendocino County had never had a full time inmate chaplain in the jail or Juvenile Hall. Now that has all changed, and Gerry is full time in this ministry.Gerry is an ordained pastor, and our men have heard him share this ministry at our MCCM (Mendocino Coast Christian Men) breakfasts. This is a solid ministry as Gerry, along with several volunteers, spread the Word of God with the men and women whose lives are broken by wrong choices.

Joe and Mary Jo Ferrante – Most of us know Joe and Mary Jo personally. They have a wonderful history with our church. Along with their world-wide ministry travels with YWAM, they are presently founders of a fascinating “pub church” in Santa Rosa.

“A Woman’s Friend”– This ministry, located in Fort Bragg, is a critically needed Christian run pregnancy care center. Sharon Usrey is the director, and their ministry is targeted toward women who are faced with an unplanned, often unwanted, pregnancy. The center provides free pregnancy tests, abortion information, adoption options, maternity and baby needs, and valuable counseling at this time of crisis. They offer valuable information on the various options a woman faces. Post-abortion counseling is offered as well.

Operation Mobilization – Our desire as a missions committee was to find and help support a mission organization that is reaching Muslims with the Gospel of Christ. OM’s mission in the body of Christ is to motivate, develop and equip people for world evangelism, and to strengthen and help plant churches, especially among the unreached in the Middle East, Europe, South and Central America. OM is reaching out to Islamic countries across North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Middle East. Teams function in these areas, using friendship evangelism as the primary tool for sharing Jesus. They have seen numbers of people come to Christ. This is tough and slow ministry, but more and more opportunities have opened up in Syria, Iraq, Algeria and Sudan.

Welcome!

For more than one hundred and fifty years this congregation has worshipped God and served the needs of Mendocino and the world beyond. Those of us who are now part of this family of faith are young and old, seekers and saints, liberals and conservatives, evangelicals and charismatics –about as diverse a collection of folks as you’re likely to find anywhere! We share a conviction that God’s love is at the heart of all reality, the glue that holds everything together, and we believe that we have been embraced by that love through Jesus Christ...READ MORE.

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